Iranian-Canadians in Manitoba Express Concerns Over Ceasefire Proposal in US-Israel-Iran Conflict

A proposal for a 45-day ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran has been rejected by Tehran, as reported by Iran's state-run IRNA news agency. Mediators had aimed for the temporary pause to facilitate talks toward a permanent end to hostilities. The conflict began almost six weeks ago and has resulted in over 1,500 deaths by the end of March.

Iranian-Canadians in Manitoba, including residents of Winnipeg with family ties to Iran, have voiced concerns about the proposal. Ramtin Teymouri, an Iranian-Canadian living in Winnipeg, told CBC News that his uncles, aunts, and distant relatives remain in Iran and face risks from the ongoing fighting. He noted that family members are enduring conditions where they could be bombed at any moment.

" — Ramtin Teymouri (CBC) Teymouri added that his family, after decades of state oppression, views the regime as more threatening than the war itself. They are willing to endure the conflict if it leads to a government change. Saeid Ghavami, another Iranian-Canadian in Manitoba, has spoken with his siblings in Iran only three times since the conflict started, each call lasting about two minutes.

on the Conflict Ghavami expressed constant worry about losing contact with his family.

He stated that many Iranians hope the war will result in the deposition of the current regime. As spokesperson for the Iranian Monarchists of Manitoba, Ghavami indicated that members of Winnipeg's Iranian diaspora are concerned a ceasefire now could allow the regime to rearm without a power shift.

US President Donald Trump reiterated a Tuesday deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on its power plants and other targets, according to the Associated Press.

Trump commented that Iranian citizens are willing to suffer for freedom. Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, head of Iran's diplomatic mission in Cairo, told the Associated Press on Monday that Iran would accept an end to the war only with guarantees against future attacks.

and Ghavami both described visions for the conflict's resolution involving a government change focused on human rights.

Teymouri emphasized that Iranians should participate in any transition discussions. Without such changes, they fear the conflict's deaths and destruction would not lead to meaningful improvements, allowing the regime to rebuild over time. The stakes involve the safety of civilians in Iran, including relatives of the diaspora community in Manitoba.

Affected parties include families separated by the conflict and the broader Iranian population under ongoing hostilities. Next steps could include further mediation efforts or escalation if the deadline passes without compliance.